Stamp game

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for playing a game comprising a chart containing instructions and a pair of dice for each player to randomly select the instructions, which determine the course of the game. The object of the game is to build up a collection of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;stamp cards&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; each of which depicts a postage stamp having a particular theme, so that the collection can comprise a number of stamps all having a common theme.

[ Nov. 4, 1975 mmEEh Johnson............ Krugier ABSTRACT 9/1964 Varlese et a]. 1/1966 8/1971 1946 France.........................

6 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure HBAV'Id V3 HUM FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-Richard J. Apley Assistant Examiner-Joseph R. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wood, Herron & Evans Apparatus for playing a game comprising a chart containing instructions and a pair of dice for each player to randomly select the instructions, which determine the course of the game. The object of the game is to build up a collection of stamp cards each of which depicts a postage stamp having a particular theme, so that the collection can comprise a number of stamps all having a common theme.

SNBMOL 8110.4

sawvis BQHHl/OMJ. uouanv Riv/08d 1327-103 273/135 R, 135 B, 135 AA,

J noting Henry Cornelius George Carey, 12 Grant St., Brighton, BN2 2UN, England Feb. 19, 1974 United Kingdom..............'...

References Cited Nelson Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 27, 1973 UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1950 Todd..................

Umted States Patent 11 1 Carey STAMP GAME [76] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 443,680

[51] Int. [58] Field of Search 4?} 'swAP 'DEALER A 4 6? oucsrmr AUCTION WITH EACH THREE 3gb- PLAYER STAMPS US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 STAMP GAME This invention relates to a board for use with certain types of board games, and also to other apparatus which may be used for playing one particular game in combination with the board of the invention.

Apparatus according to the invention for playing a game of chance, comprises a board or chart, for use with a device for randomly selecting pairs of numbers or letters (eg a pair of common dice) which is divided into a rectangular matrix, (preferably 6 X 6) the squares of the matrix being numbered or lettered (preferably from 1 to 6) along at least two edges of the rectangle so that squares in the matrix can be randomly se lected by using the random selection (e.g. throwing the pair of dice).

The squares of the matrix may for example contain instructions for determining the course of a game.

The invention also extends to a game, the apparatus for which comprises a combination of:

a number of sets of cards, each of which cards represents a postage stamp, and each of which sets includes cards with postage stamps all depicting a subject of the same theme;

and a pair of dice or other equivalent random symbol selecting apparatus, which are used by each player in turn and which determine the course of the game by reference to a set of instructions for example instructions contained in the squares of the matrix of the board or chart defined hereinbefore. or alternatively the instructions may be contained in a printed list or on the cards of a pack of cards.

The object of the game is to build up a winning collection" which in a preferred form of the game may comprise a predetermined number of stamps from one of the sets, or a smaller number of stamps including a rare stamp from that set, or a predetermined number frare stamps from any of the sets. The course of the game is determined by throwing the dice, and using the numbers shown on the dice to select listed instructions.

In addition to gaining and losing stamps as dictated by the chart or board and the dice, the player may also be able to swap stamps with either a seen or an unseen" collection, and he may also exhibit? his stamps, which has the effect of putting them out of play, so that they cannot be lost or otherwise effectively removed from his collection. Each stamp may also be assigned a certain value in terms of tokens, and these tokens are then used for the purposes of exchange.

A preferred embodiment of the game in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a chat or board used in playing the game.

The board is square and is divided into a rectangular matrix of 36 smaller squares, arranged in a 6 X 6 array, the rows and columns of squares respectively being numbered 1 to 6 along perpendicular edges of the board. Each square of the board contains a set of instructions, and each player throws a pair of dice at his turn to determine which set of instructions, selected by the two numbers shown on the dice, he will have to follow. A list of the instructions and their meanings is given in the set of rules appended to this specification.

The apparatus also comprises 70 stamp cards", divided into seven sets, the themes of the sets being as follows:

"Britain" USA Animals Famous People First Day of Issue (FDI) Postal ervice Rare Most stamps belong to only one set, e.g., Britain. Others are equally appropriate in two or even three sets, e.g., Britain/Famous People/FD]. When a player holds these stamp-cards he has the advantage of being able to choose which set he will use them in. Each of the 10 sets comprises sixteen stamps in all, including those which fall into more than one set.

The object of the game is to make a winning collection" which may either consist of ten stamps of one set or eight stamps plus the rare stamp belonging to that set, or any five rare stamps.

The apparatus of the preferred game also includes holding pieces which are counters which can be placed on the board. These are used in the following way: except when a player throws a double with the dice, the instructions given by the dice, referred to the board, are always ambiguous, since two squares are selected (for example) as row 2, column 3 or row 3, column 2. In the course of the game, when the player has thrown his dice, he has to decide which of the two possible squares he will refer to for his instructions. If the player wishes to prevent another player from gain ing the advantage of a beneficial instruction which he himself has just selected, he may place a holding piece on the square which allows him to carry out the instruction on that square again later if he throws the same combination, but prevents other players using the instruction in the meantime. Thus another player throwing the same combination of numbers on the dice, is forced to use the other square selected by the same combination of numbers.

In a practical embodiment of the game, the rows" of the array are numbered in black, whilst the columns" of the array are numbered in red, and these descrip tions are used in the following explanation of the method of play and appropriate rules given below as follows:

PREPARATION FOR PLAY RULES AND PROGRESS OF PLAY The player on the .dealers left starts.

His first decision is whether he wants to swap one of his stamp-cards for one from the pack either the face-up stampcard, or take a risk and swap with the top stamp on the face-down pile. Before taking a stamp he must hand his swap-stamp to the dealer, who then places it on top of the face-up pile.

Whether he does this swap or not, he rolls the two dice to help determine his position on the board. If, for

3 example, he throws & 2 he can go either to the square where the red-5 row crosses the black-2 row, or to the square where the black-5 crosses red-2. (Both squares are the same colour on the board).

He decides which is the better position, and carries out the instructions on that particular square (see the board, below). The only time when there are not two positions on the board is when a player throws a double, e.g. 3 & 3 or 6 & 6.

The player can, if he wishes, place a holding piece in his square (see holding pieces below).

Only when a player has completed the instructions on his square can the next player begin his turn.

HOLDING PIECES Each player has 4 holding pieces of the same colour.

When a player holds a square on the board, he can use it again later, but if prevents other players using that square. If, for example, a player throws 5 & 4 when black-5/red-4 is being held, he is forced into the red- 5/black-4 position... instead of Three stamps on approval his instruction is lose three tokens.

When both of the alternative positions are being held, a player has no square open to him and therefore misses his turn on the board. However, the player(s) holding those squares have to pay a penalty of 2 tokens per holding piece to the stamp dealer, and clear those holding pieces from the board.

Should a player throw a double that is held, he again misses his turn on the board, but in this case the player holding the double must pay a penalty of 4 tokens to the stamp dealer and clear his piece from the board.

STAMP EXHIBITIONS Each players aim is, as mentioned above, to build a major collection. However, a player can choose to exhibit his stamps when he has acquired a representative, though minor, collection. Such a collection consists of 6 stamps from any one set, or 4 plus the rare of that set, or 3 rare stamps. Immediately before his turn on the board, the player exhibits his collection by displaying the stamps face up.

While stamps are on exhibition they are out of play"; this can act as an insurance against having to lose them or having them declared damaged or fake.

Should a player wish to bring them back into play, he can only do this when the board is cleared after a special transaction, see below.

Stamps can stay on exhibition until the end of the game, and the player may, at any time, add the necessary stamps to change his display to a winning major collection.

THE BOARD In monetary transactions (with the exception of Stamps on Approval, see below) the following valuations apply; these valuations are also the reserve prices at all auctions:

rare stamps: 2 tokens each all other stamps: 1 token each 3 stamps of the same group: 9 tokens (total) 2 stamps of a group plus the rare of that set: 12 tokens (total) 3 rare stamps: 18 tokens (total) Note: In any transaction three stamps of the same set are necessary to warrant high valuation. Two stamps of the same set are valued at only 1 token each.

MEANING OF ENTRIES ON THE BOARD Sell three stamps to dealer" The player who gets this instruction sells any 3 stamp's from his collection either individual stamps or from the same group. The dealer pays the above valuation and places the stamps at the bottom of the facedown pile.

Should a player have less than three stamps in his collection he sells as many as he has.

Sell a set of three stamps to dealer The player must, if he has them, sell 3 stamps from the same set. If this is not possible, he sells any 3 stamps; or should he hold less than three, he sells as many as he has. The stamp dealer pays the above valua tion and places the stamps at the bottom of the facedown pile.

Dealer Auction Private Auction The player chooses the specified number of stamps from his collection. Again they are displayed face-up and offered as a lot.

If they are not sold, the dealer pays the player the reserve price and places the stamps at the bottom of the pack.

Stamps on Approval" These are offered to the player face-down from the top of the pack at the bargain price of l token each, whether rare or otherwise. The player decides if he wishes to buy any or all of them.

Unsold stamps go back to the bottom of the pack.

Swap one stamp with each Player The player must swap, in a secret transaction, one

stamp with each player in turn. He can if he wishes, pass on the stamp he received from one player to the next player if it does not fit in with his collection.

Free Stamps The dealer gives the specified number of stamps facedown from the top of the pack.

Lose Tokens" The player gives the specified number of' tokens to the dealer. If he has not enough tokens, he must pay with stamps at the rate of one stamp per token, unless it is a rare stamp, which is worth two tokens.

The money is paid into the bank and stamps go to the.

bottom of the pack.

Lose Stamps The dealer takes the specified number of stamps,

face-down, from the players collection and puts them at the bottom of the pack.

ing

Damaged/Faked Stamps" The dealer takes the stamps face-down from the player. These stamps are declared out of play" and displayed face up. 5

Special Transaction The player is offered 5 stamps on approval. He pays 1 token for each stamp he wants; and he can sell back to the dealer a lot of 3 stamps at the recognised valuation.

Immediately before the players next turn on the board all holding pieces are cleared in this instance no monetary penalty is inflicted.

The dealer brings back into play all damaged and fake stamps; shuffles the complete pack and places it as at beginning of play.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for playing a board type game compris- 0 a chart, said chart being defined by a matrix of squares,

instructions for proceeding in said game within each of the majority of said squares, the instructions within each square differing from the instructions within a majority of those other squares also having instructions,

a set of index characters along each of at least two adjacent edges of said matrix of squares, and

a pair of indistinguishable random selection means operable to select pairs of index characters, each of said pair of random selection means having identical characteristics to the other of said pair, one member of each pair being from one set of index characters along one edge, and the other member of each pair being from the other set of characters along the adjacent edge, each pair of characters selected by said random selection means permitting one of two different sets of instructions to be indexed on said chart as desired by the player unless the members of a pair are identical.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said random selection means is a pair of dice, said matrix is a six-by-six array of squares, and each set of said characters comprises the numbers one to six.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of sets of cards for collection by the players, each card having a reproduction of a postage stamp thereon.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said random selection means is a pair of dice, said matrix is a six-by-six array of squares, and each set of said characters comprises the numbers one to six.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each set of said cards carries a reproduction of a stamp, all stamps within each set having one particular theme.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein at least one card of at least one set carries a reproduction of a stamp having a combination of at least two themes so that at least two sets include at least one common card. i l 

1. Apparatus for playing a board type game comprising a chart, said chart being defined by a matrix of squares, instructions for proceeding in said game within each of the majority of said squares, the instructions within each square differing from the instructions within a majority of those other squares also having instructions, a set of index characters along each of at least two adjacent edges of said matrix of squares, and a pair of indistinguishable random selection means operable to select pairs of index characters, each of said pair of random selection means having identical characteristics to the other of said pair, one member of each pair being from one set of index characters along one edge, and the other member of each pair being from the other set of characters along the adjacent edge, each pair of characters selected by said random selection means permitting one of two different sets of instructions to be indexed on said chart as desired by the player unless the members of a pair are identical.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said random selection means is a pair of dice, said matrix is a six-by-six array of squares, and each set of said characters comprises the numbers one to six.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of sets of cards for collection by the players, each card having a reproduction of a postage stamp thereon.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said random selection means is a pair of dice, said matrix is a six-by-six array of squares, and each set of said characters comprises the numbers one to six.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein each set of said cards carries a reproduction of a stamp, all stamps within each set having one particular theme.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein at least one card of at least one set carries a reproduction of a stamp having a combination of at least two themes so that at least two sets include at least one common Card. 